Australia has the largest uranium reserves in the world, with a significant portion in Western Australia.

While global demand for this essential mineral has been growing, recent geopolitical events in Russia and Africa have impacted uranium production, creating a gap in the supply chain.

Western Australia now has a key opportunity to develop this export market, utilising our vast natural resources to meet the demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources with safe and reliable supplies.

But that won’t happen while Labor is in government.

While other Australian states are already mining this key mineral, Labor’s ban on uranium mining in 2017 has left the WA industry at a standstill.

The four uranium mines that had received approval under the former Liberal-National Government were forecast to create 1,700 jobs during construction, and 1,375 jobs for their operation.

If they had all progressed, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA believes their combined output would have placed WA as the second largest global producer.

Instead, only one was in operation when the ban took effect.

It’s a squandered opportunity that will have ramifications for generations to come.

The WA Liberals will not stand for it.‍

Lifting the ban on uranium mining is essential for the future of global emissions reduction.

Supporting uranium mining in WA provides a key opportunity to ease the supply issues plaguing Australia’s trade partners and secure the global clean energy future.

Reversing the ban will also allow Western Australia to position itself as a leading supplier of critical minerals and a key player in the global energy transition.

Western Australia can, and should be, leading the world in the development and supply of this key critical mineral.

Only a WA Liberal Government will ensure it happens.

The WA Liberals understand the importance of developing and supporting future growth opportunities in the resources sector for the benefit of our future generations.

As a critical mineral in the green energy transition, demand for uranium has continued to grow as more countries turn to alternative energy sources to reduce global emissions.

With vast uranium resources at our disposal, Western Australia is well-placed to take advantage of this increased demand.

But Labor won’t let it happen.

In 2017, the Labor Government banned uranium mining.

This ideological ban is a missed opportunity for WA and has left us on the back foot in the green energy transition.

With global demand for uranium expected to double by 2040, WA cannot continue to ‘Wait Awhile’ while the rest of the world moves forward without us.

A WA Liberal Government will reverse the ban on uranium mining, ensuring Western Australia can expand its minerals industry and make a significant contribution to the global energy transition.

Uranium is already safely mined in other Australian states under strict international safeguards and environmental standards.

Mining this critical resource has the potential to provide an annual $1 billion industry boost to WA’s future, along with 9000 jobs, by producing safe and reliable supplies for the global community for generations to come.

Western Australians deserve a government who will put opportunities for our economic security and global emissions reduction first.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to expanding WA’s industry potential, for the benefit of our state and beyond.